Tag Archives: mondiali femminili 2011

Goalless send-off for Korea DPR and Colombia

FIFA.com

Thirty-three shots were registered in Bochum, but not one managed to ripple the back of the net, meaning Korea DPR and Colombia will return home from the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011™ having failed to score. The North Koreans can at least take atomic consolation from the fact they finished Group C second-bottom, above their opponents due to a marginally superior goal difference.

Colombia took the game to their opponents from the outset, with Orianica Velasquez atttempting three shots in the opening six minutes, all of which came to nothing. Yulieht Dominguez was next to try her luck for the South Americans, but her goal-bound strike was admirably pushed out for a corner by the stretching Hong Myong Hui.

Korea DPR's first chance came on 19 minutes when they won a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Ho Un Byol's effort went comfortably over the bar. It did spark the Asians into life, however, and they dominated possession thereafter, albeit without threatening to break the deadlock.

That was until they had a glaring opportunity seven minutes before half-time. Kim Un Ju skipped past two adversaries and teed up Jo Yun Mi, but the captain somehow dragged her shot wide. The last chance of the period fell to Colombia, though, with Velasquez's fizzing drive flashing narrowly wide of Hong's right-hand post.

The same player had the first effort following the restart, but it failed to trouble to Korea DPR No1, who did well to sprint from her line and deny Daniela Montoya a run on goal on 62 minutes. The Colombians looked hungry, and Velasquez's piledriver from distance forced Hong into a smart catch.

A number of wayward shots ensued before Korea DPR missed two great chances to take the lead in the closing minutes. First, Jo's effort was masterfully saved by Sandra Sepulveda, before the No10 flashed her header wide from Ri Ye Gyong's fine cross.

The lively Velasquez had the final two shots of the contest, but both went wide. Soon after, the final whistle sounded to confirm a result which pleased neither team.

Bochum: DPR Korea will be playing for pride when they meet Colombia in their final group game of the FIFA Women's World Cup on Wednesday.

The East Asians have already crashed out of the tournament following defeats at the hands of USA (2-0) and Sweden (1-0).

The eighth-ranked Koreans have had a disappointing tournament after reaching the quarter-finals for the first time four years ago, and also want a result in their first meeting with the 31st-ranked Colombians.

Korean coach Kim Kwang Min had initially blamed the effects of being struck by lightning at a pre-tournament training camp on his players' failure to win.

"This team is very young and they are inexperienced in such a competition as this," said the Korean coach.

"However, this World Cup will have taught them a lot of lessons. In four years time they will be stronger."

The United States and Sweden are already through to the quarter-finals unbeaten. The USA beat Colombia 3-0 and North Korea 2-0 as Sweden squeezed past the same teams with 1-0 wins.

They play each other for top spot group supremacy in Wolfsburg on Wednesday.

Augsburg: DPR Korea crashed out of the FIFA Women's World Cup after losing 1-0 to Sweden on Saturday.

Midfielder Lisa Dahlkvist scored the only goal in the 64th minute to take Sweden to the quarterfinals along with USA who both have six points from two games.

"This game was very important to decide if we would survive or be eliminated. In the first half our players did well. But in the second half we lacked the energy. We were not physically prepared," said DPR Korea head coach Kim Kwang Min.

"We lacked concentration in the second half. Unfortunately we didn't convert our chances that we did have."

Kim Kwang Min initially had listed Kim Myong Gum on the right side of the backline, but swapped in first game starter Song Jong Sun at the last minute.

The Swedes had a clear chance after just two minutes as Lotta Schelin snatched the ball from Ri Un Hyang and raced toward keeper Hong Myong Hui but shot over the bar.

DPR Korea threatened in the sixth minute as Kim Su Gyong sent her left-footer just wide left from the outside from outside the area. And the April 25 forward headed just wide right in the 18th minute.

Schelin missed an even better chance at the half-hour mark on a counter attack, with Caroline Seger feeding a through ball to the Lyon forward, who had time to look up but found the near right side netting.

The Swedes worked to find another chance in the 42nd minute but fellow forward Jessica Landstrom struck her 25-yard blast over the crossbar.

The Scandinavians had a golden opportunity on the counter attack five minutes after the break with Schelin feeding a through ball to Dahlkvist, who could not get much power on her attempt to allow Hong to clear to corner.

Korea's defence did a fine job clearing away a corner kick after Hong had not batted the ball out of the area in the 55th minute.

Sweden captain Seger picked up a costly yellow card at the hour mark and she will be suspended for Sweden's final group match against the Americans. After the forward duo of Schelin and Landstrom had failed to get the job done, three Swedish midfielders helped give the Europeans the lead in the 64th minute.

Linda Forsberg sent a diagonal cross from the left side to the far post where Therese Sjogran volleyed back across the goal mouth and Dahlkvist blasted in from four yards.

Swedish defender Sara Thunebro saved the lead in the 74th minute, clearing Ri Un Hyang's header at the line off a corner kick.

The Koreans pushed forward looking for the equaliser but Sweden had a better chance in the 83rd minute with Josefine Oqvist shooting just wide of the far right post. Schelin's tough day continued with two more misses over the bar in the final six minutes.

Dresden: DPR Korea's coach Kim Kwang Min claimed several players had played in the opening 2-0 World Cup loss to two-time champions United States on Tuesday still suffering from the effects of being struck by lightning at a pre-tournament training camp.

"Frankly speaking, when we were having training and test matches before we left for this tournament, five of the players were hit by lightning and were in hospital," said Kim, through an interpreter in the post-game press conference.

"We had an accident in Pyongyang before we left for this tournament. Some of the players were left behind. Some were in hospital and came later. Until now they were not fully treated for the match."

Kim said the incident occurred on June 8.

Kim added that the players most affected were the goalkeeper, four defenders and some midfield players – without naming them.

The coach said doctors had originally decided that they were not in a fit state to play but that they played anyway.

Kim also praised his players' performance under these circumstances.

"The fact that they played in this match is abnormal. It is the result of their very powerful and strong will."